Tasmanian Trout season opens

With wild wet windy weather, the trout season officially got underway on Saturday 3rd August. Many braved the conditions, camping out overnight and staying at shacks, just ensure they broke the ice of the new season at 12 midnight. Me, I was in a better place (bed) and have to yet wet my line, but I anticipate getting amongst the fish this week. On my personal to do list is fish for sea trout at Trevallyn tailrace, something I have written about many times and also chase the runners further to the North East of the state.

Stocking sheet from the Inland Fisheries Service.

Carl Hyland

Those who did seek out fish were rewarded with many ‘bagging out’. Stocking of waters by the states Inland Fisheries Service has been taking place for some time now and this usually coincides with spawning runs from the Great Lake and Lake Sorell.

Tim Wrights Great Lake brown.

Carl Hyland

The Great Lake is giving up some really good fish and a angler who supplies me with some great trout shots from there tells of having immense success casting along shores at places like Boundary Bay or The Beeehives. The use of soft plastic lures is his method that brings a lot of action, but when times are right, flies and hard bodied lure use can bring just as much success. You don’t necessarily have to own or use a boat to get amongst the good fish at the Great Lake.

Sea run trout from the Derwent by Damian Howard

Carl Hyland

Sea run activity continues to pick up with many fish being landed from the shores of the river Derwent. Locals tell me of finding fish heavily stuffed with young eels’ plus whitebait, a good sign that all the rainfall is bringing the river to life as it does in early spring each year. Any rocky points along the river from Bridgewater to Hobart/Bellerive are good spots to spin from with either the plastic imitations or hard bodied lures. Anything that represents minnows or pretty fish will bring more luck that fluoro colours. A live pretty fish under a float is a deadly method to use or even a baitfish spun will often bring savage strikes usually from big fish.

Brendan Collins with his stocked rainbow from Craigbourne Dam

Carl Hyland

Other stocked local waters that fished well were Craigbourne in the South with big Atlantics and ex brood rainbows being made available to all anglers. Land based here is the way to go but it is a very cold place with a lazy wind often blowing chilly from local snow covered peaks. If you rug up and are prepared for the weather, you will get amongst good fish here.

A great coloured lure for sea run trout.

Carl Hyland

Most anglers I have spoken to have indicated that local streams and rivers are still running high and that they are quite unfishable at this time, but as rains decrease we should see some great river action commence, again something that I was raised on and like to get my teeth into. I will certainly be carrying my camera over the coming weeks with hopefully a few good shots being the result. Until next time, take care!